Author Topic: Santahamina "Sahara" airstrip visited first time since 1947 (Read 337 times)

Fishu · « **on:** March 01, 2008, 10:16:17 AM »

Today an Antonov An-2 with registration ES-CAC, operated by Lennuklubi, made two landings and take-offs at an airstrip in Santahamina (in Helsinki, Finland), also referred to as Sahara. Santahamina is a closed military island right by the side of the finnish capital. Sahara was the first operative airfield in Finland and it was last time visited by an airplane in 1947, although the operations had been already moved to a still active Malmi airport in the late 30's, just a few miles further inland.

The program was also supposed to include parajumping, which however was cancelled due to low ceiling.

The airfield was located here (google map)

Do you want to see more? Click here
Click here for video of the event

Xjazz · « **Reply #1 on:** March 01, 2008, 11:29:34 AM »

Now that's interesting.

Thanks for the pictures.

Is it Vuokko on right in an2sant-13.jpg picture?

Fishu · « **Reply #2 on:** March 02, 2008, 08:10:23 PM »

Hi-res video, 2nd edition(81 MB)

Not much interest in old soviet planes eh?

Added a html album for the pics.

Tarmac · « **Reply #3 on:** March 02, 2008, 08:19:43 PM »

Oddly enough, I recognize that aircraft from a flight with my buddy a few years ago. We landed at some little airport near Port Huron, MI, and spotted one of those things sitting at the end of the runway. Talked to the airport guys about it, and they said some guy had bought it real cheap in the 90's and couldn't get it FAA certified to do whatever he had wanted, so the owner had abandoned it at the airport. Walked around it for a while, was an impressive airplane. Probably still there.